It seems like every few months Facebook rolls out a new design, or changes on existing designs. For users, these changes are often frustrating, but for developers and designers, it can be downright crippling to turn the blind corner. There's no miracle tutorial, but there are a few very simple thing you can do to ensure that your next project doesn't go up in flame (or completely disappear) when Facebook incorporates its next round of updates.

1. Keep Up With the Timeline. No Facebook project ever keeps an exact date of completion, but the Facebook Developer's Wiki has some pretty good estimates that you can follow along with. Bookmark the site and check back regularly for updates. Even if a change goes live prior to expected date, you'll already know what was in store and know how to deal with it. Also, add Mashable, Facebook Insider, and All Facebook to your daily blog reader for other news and tips. 

2. Design With Changes in Mind. You can't always predict what the next big update will be, but remember that as far as Facebook goes, nothing is set in stone. Many companies spent thousands of dollars on promotions that use capabilities that are either no longer available, or not allowed any longer; that's wasted money and time. Of course you want to put your all into everything you develop, but keep the Developer's Wiki in mind. Maybe you want to roll out a game that has unique Application Dashboard settings now, so when that change comes, you're ready. Maybe it's time to begin designing in 520px and preparing your Boxes tab for removal. Any decision that prepares you will be well worth it.

3. Bounce Ideas Off the Like-Minded. If you aren't surrounded with Facebook-on-the-brain friends, try the F8 Conference. This Facebook conference, scheduled for April 21-22 in San Francisco, is a great way to catch up with other Facebook Developers. There's no shame in not being versed in every single detail of upcoming updates, particularly for a platform that changes so sudden and rapidly, which is why keeping a roster of friends around is handy. Who can tell what tiny detail you've missed that a friend can remind you of -- and vice-versa.

4. Expect Change. Certainly you expect change; you work on social platforms, after all. But your client doesn't. Gently remind anyone you create Facebook promotions for that this is a fast-moving system. Today’s great idea might be tomorrow’s ancient history. Online is not traditional marketing and everyone needs a little patience, and to go in and out with the tide. With this in mind, you’ll never have all your eggs in one basket with the chance of total failure should your well-developed pixels or sidebars change around. Plus, once this process is understood -- and once you've built-up trust -- you'll be working with a client who is open to so much more of what's offered out there, and you'll have more fun. 

 

 

 

 

Social Media ROI is the big topic these days. What can corporations do to see a return in profit from their online efforts? How much should be spent versus how much will come back? However, bloggers, personality tweeters, and Facebookers are making profits, too, and yes, you can also make a little cash off your personal accounts.

Izea, is a self-proclaimed “World leader in sponsored conversations.” Through several targeted programs, Izea connects bloggers with products and pays the bloggers for writing about the products in their own voice- a sponsored blog or tweet. Sponzai, another incarnation of this product, has sponsors crafting their own copy, and selecting from a pool of blogs to publish on; the blogger gets paid for this post.

Sound scandalous? It shouldn’t. In 2009, Twitter made approximately $29 million from its syndication deals with search giants like Google and Bing. That’s $29 million Twitter is making off your tweets. Your movie opinions, lunch choices, and inner thoughts, putting money in Twitter’s pocket; why not use Twitter to put money back in your own pocket, right?

Not surprisingly, the system of earning cash through your tweets or blogs is the topic of much criticism. Sponsored blogs are often thought of as insincere, with sincerity being the very essence of why we love bloggers. Tweets with the “#ad” hashtag are sometimes labeled as spam even though Izea follows a strict code of ethics and is considered a governing member in good-standing of WOMMA . But what does a system of pay-per-tweet say about the direction social media is going in?

Is this a chance for the every-man to regain control of his content or are we at risk for a new level of spamming never before seen: from friends and family straight to your mobile, home, and work devices? And what does this mean for those personal relationships? Sponsors aim for tweeters with a large following, but aren't those with a close-knit, respected group going to bank more clicks? Are you less likely to trust your friends and businesses after seeing a sponsored post?

There’s a reason that I’m a little bit excited every morning when my alarm goes off—and it’s not because I roll out of bed with a Mary Poppins outlook.  No, one of the reasons I’m excited these days has to do with my relentless capitalistic urges, and I know that each day a new Groupon offer awaits me in my inbox.

If you’ve never heard of Groupon, check it out.  It’s a new internet coupon company that’s taking 26 U.S. cities by the power of discount.  Groupon operates by a concept its founders have dubbed “collective buying power”, and it’s rather simple-genius approach secured an additional $30 million in funding in its first year of operation.

Everyday there is potentially a new Groupon deal.  One business offers a special discount promotion via Groupon’s daily email to its members.  What’s actually up for sale is variable—spa treatments, restaurant discounts, classes, tastings, tours—anything and everything available in your local urban hub. But whether or not the daily Groupon goes through, all depends on you.

Groupon deals require a minimum number of buyers, and if enough people purchase the daily deal, the Groupon is on.  Now, here is where the power of you really counts…if you want that Groupon deal to go through, you have the potential to make it happen.  All you have to do is tweet, post, or email all of your friends about it to spread the word, and Groupon makes it very easy for you to shout from those digital parapets.

The discount that a daily Groupon offers is generally pretty fabulous, usually between 50 – 80 %.  So, in order to make it worth it for local businesses, they need commitment in the form of numbers. And numbers they get.  Local businesses see Groupon customers pour into their businesses typically by the thousands, and to them, that’s thousands of new customers they’d never met any other way.  The potential that those Groupon customers become regular customers makes it worth the extravagant discounts offered.

Besides being fun and extremely clever, Groupon also has something else going for it—timing.  In the midst of this economic lull, small businesses can give themselves a rejuvenating jolt of new business with a single coupon.  That kind of momentum and energy drives financial life-force right into the heart of businesses and primes the pump for repeat visits and residual offers. 

I’ll be honest.  The reason I like Groupon is because I can get awesome savings on luxury goods and services I’d normally ignore, or would have never known existed.  A $225 spa treatment marked down to $100 most definitely puts the chim chim che-ree back in my step, and the daily thrill of bargain hunting keeps me hooked.  Try it for yourself, perhaps you’ll become a fellow Groupie?

 

  

Two weeks ago I participated in the Word of Mouth Marketing Association Conference, dealing with Social Media, communities, digital branding, and, of course, straight word of mouth marketing techniques. WOMMA prides itself on grassroots marketing and crowd-sourcing content, reviews, even customer service: in short, letting the consumer take the wheel.

Because of the hands-on consumer approach of these sort of marketing campaigns, the topic of ethics is an enormous deal, and always on the tip of WOMMA presenter tongues. This conference was no different. In fact, taking place just days before FTC blogger regulations were to go into effect, ethics and morality in digital marketing was a theme that panels could not shake.

So, diving deeper into Social Media, where can we expect to come across ethical issues? And what place do ethics really have in Social Media? For a brand that’s using this digital outlet correctly, ethics is the cornerstone.

Transparency. When dealing with, or inside a large brand, being completely transparent may seem like it’s not an option. Every company makes mistakes, has products that don’t go as expected, and experiences a little negative feedback. Instead of choosing to deny these shortcomings, use that moral know-how and be transparent. Honesty gives you credit with both fan and foe and you’ll be surprised when others come to the rescue for you.

Privacy. On the frontline of Social Media outlets like Twitter and Facebook, you might come very close to a few cases of TMI with consumers, partners, and other businesses. It might be tempting to use the personal info you view in the digisphere for your own good, but think twice. Those who let you into their personal networks are showing you that they have placed a certain amount of trust in you. There’s a reason why Facebook needs to correct its privacy statements every few months.

Customer Service. We’ve all been there. An angry consumer who has had a bad experience can sometimes be too quick to take it out on the first person they deal with, even thought it might not be the best outlet. Instead of feeding off that anger, get to the bottom of the situation. If you’re being totally honest with yourself, every spitting angry consumer that reaches you is just another opportunity to right a wrong that can make your biz or product 100% better.

Respect. Treat those in your network as you’d want to be treated. Keep the posting to a minimum, keep it relevant, and let fans and followers know what they’re getting. When you humanize your business with these very flesh and blood tactics, you’ll be treated as a human- as a friend, too.  

 

 

 

 

If the Internet has proven anything, it’s that the underdog has a fighting chance when his message is crowd-sourced.

Mom-and-pop operations no longer have to bow down to the Big Guy because they don’t have the wallet for TV campaigns or box store events. By simply logging on and putting some work into a Social Media campaign, they can reach new customers, pass savings along to establish consumers, and create burgeoning brand identity. One of the best examples of an independently run biz taking advantage of this, is a West Coast artist named Natasha Wescoat.

Refusing to fall victim to the starving artist stereotype, Natasha uses Social Media to establish brand recognition for her art business. She is present on all major outlets: Twitter, MySpace, Flickr, even Ustream, Vimeo, and Etsy. She calls out to her fans on these outlets and offers them specials like Name Your Own Price art auctions, easy e-commerce portals, blogs, and a live studio cam.

Natasha opts to engage with fans and followers in her own voice too, not a formal tone carefully crafted specifically for business or media relations. And, her art isn’t the only subject up for grabs. While she tweets about studio time, swapping hair color, and scouring for lunch, you see so much more than the medium and product- you meet the artist.

Keeping the consumer love going after the check clears is important. Natasha does this by welcoming remarks via Twitter; her handle is called out clearly on her colorful cards. Plus, she includes an extra hand-mirror adorned with her trademark art. A simple thanks for buying from her. 

In absence of fancy billboards and TV campaigns, Natasha has made a name for herself and her creations. There are plenty of other independents out there, too, spending their time concentrating on optimal customer service, giving the consumer a sense of friendship and control, and total brand transparency.

After all, aren’t you are more apt to buy from people you like, when you know what you’re getting, and when you’ve made the decision that you need it on your own?